Universal holster and holster system

ABSTRACT

A multi-configurable holster system includes a rail system that allows a holster to be positioned in an infinite amount of positions and configurations. The rail system may attach to various parts of the body. The system may include a firearm holster, a magazine holster, a handcuff holster and a flashlight or baton holster. Each holster is adjustable and may accommodate various sized pieces of law enforcement equipment.

[0001] This application claims priority from provisional patent application No. 60/419,359 filed on Oct. 21, 2002.

[0002] This application did not receive federal research and development funding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention generally relates to holsters for carrying firearms and law enforcement equipment. More specifically, the invention relates to an adjustable holster system that includes at least one universal holster that may be configured in various manners.

[0005] 2. Background of the Invention

[0006] Many types of holsters exist for holding firearms. Typically, these holsters are named for the body part to which they are attached. Most of these are constructed out of leather and are therefore not pliable. It is very difficult to clean a leather holster. Moreover, the holsters are for use on only one part of the body.

[0007] Law enforcement officers and others must purchase multiple holsters for carrying a firearm in a different area of the body since the prior art type holsters cannot be configured to be worn in multiple areas of the body. Moreover, these types of holsters are not universal and cannot be adjusted to accommodate various sized firearms or other law enforcement accessories.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] This invention is a holster system that may be configured in a variety of manners such that a holster can be attached to various regions or parts of the body of the wearer. In one configuration, a holster may be rigged in an underarm or shoulder holster fashion. In another configuration, the holster may be worn inside of or outside the pants of the wearer on the waist or hip region. In a further configuration, the holster may be worn on an appendage of a wearer such a leg or arm on the ankle or upper arm regions.

[0009] It is an object of the invention to provide a universal holster that may accommodate various sized firearms.

[0010] It is another object of the invention is to provide a holster system that can be configured to be worn on a plurality of body regions on a wearer.

[0011] It is still another object of the invention to provide a comfortable holster that may be worn for extended periods of time without adversely affecting or fatiguing a wearer.

[0012] It is a further object of the invention to provide a holster system that may be laundered and easily cleaned.

[0013] It is another object of the invention to provide a holster system that provides a plurality of accessory holsters for accommodating various types of law enforcement equipment.

[0014] Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and the included claims when taken in connection with the previous discussion and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIGS. 1A and 1B are elevation front and back views of a firearm holster, respectively.

[0016]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1.

[0017]FIGS. 3A and 3B are elevation front and back views of a magazine or ammunition holster.

[0018]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of FIG. 3.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of handcuff holster.

[0020]FIG. 6 is an exploded view of FIG. 5.

[0021]FIG. 7 is an accessory holster for accommodating accessory equipment. The accessory equipment to be carried may include, but is not limited to, a baton, flashlight, single magazine, pepper spray or the like.

[0022]FIG. 8 is an exploded view of FIG. 7.

[0023]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a shoulder rail harness.

[0024]FIG. 10 is an elevation view of a torso rail harness.

[0025]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a hip or waist rail harness.

[0026]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a lower leg or upper arm rail harness.

[0027]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a mesh laundry bag for use in laundering the above mentioned holsters and harnesses.

[0028]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a shoulder rail system and showing an upper torso of a user.

[0029]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a waist rail system and showing a midriff region of a user.

[0030]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a waist rail system rigged for use on a hip of a user.

[0031]FIG. 17 is a leg rail system and showing an appendage of a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Referring now to the drawings in which like elements are designated by the same reference number throughout, there is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B front and back views of a firearm holster 100. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIGS. 1A and 1B showing the relationship between the various parts that comprise the firearm holster 100.

[0033] A quick thumb release 5 overlaps a rear area of a firearm (not shown) and includes a female snap fastener 2 b that mates with a male snap fastener 2 a to securely hold the firearm in place within the holster 100. Quick release holder 3 adjustably fastens the adjustable quick release 1 and comprises a strip of hook or loop material sewn to an upper edge of an opening that accommodates a firearm. A complementary strip of material overlaps the adjustable quick release 1 to fasten it in place as showing if FIG. 1A. The adjustable quick release 1 adjusts to a desired size by removing or loosening the complementary strip of material and sliding the adjustable quick release upwards or downwards as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1A.

[0034] The holster 100 includes overlapping edges 14 that attach the front sidewall 8 to the rigid center material 7 and back sidewall 6. Each of the sidewalls and center material is shaped as shown. However, it is contemplated that various modifications to the shapes may be had without deviating from the spirit of this invention. Stitching is the preferred method of attaching these together. Rigid center material 7 provides a shape for the holster 100. Thus, the holster 100 will retain its shape when laundered or during the ordinary course of usage. It should be noted that modifications to the holster may be implemented such that either the front sidewall 8 or the back sidewall 6 comprise a rigid material thereby alleviating the need for rigid center material 7.

[0035] The overlapping edges 14 provide added protection for preventing the edges of the holster from becoming frayed and worn during the ordinary course of use. Likewise, a strip of elastic material 4 is sewn onto an upper edge of front sidewall 8 to prevent fraying of the edge when a firearm is deposited into and removed from the holster 100. Binding 9 is affixed, preferable through stitching, to the front sidewall 8 and adds support to the rail straps 12 thereby preventing them from being pulled from the front sidewall 8. Binding 13 is affixed to a bottom of the holster 100, as shown, for preventing the lower edge of the holster from becoming frayed and worn during periods of use.

[0036] In the preferred embodiment, two sets of rail straps 12 affix to the front sidewall 8 for accommodating rails 38 as discussed below. It is contemplated that any number of rail straps 12 may be affixed to the front sidewall 8 for supporting the holster 100. The rail straps 12 include hook material 11 and loop material 10 sewn to the front sidewall 8 and are configured to be adjustable. Rail straps 12 are included on the back sidewall 6 as shown in FIGS. 1B and 2 for accommodating the rails 38 during different configurations of the system.

[0037] Turning now to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4 which depict a magazine or ammunition holster 101, the magazine holster 101 includes rail straps 12 on a front and back exterior side as shown. The rail straps 12 are preferably fastened to the front sidewall 19, back sidewall 22 and rigid center material 20 as shown. The holster 101 includes a front sidewall 19 equipped with quick release holders 16 that fasten to quick releases 15 to secure a magazine or ammunition within the holster 101. An edge of each quick release 15 attaches to an upper edge of back sidewall 22. A rigid center material 20 and back sidewall 22 are also included in the holster 101. Generally, the front sidewall 19 is a rectangular shape whereas the center material 20 and back sidewall 22 are shaped in shovel shape as shown. However, it is contemplated that various modifications to the shape of holster 101 may be had without deviating from the scope of the invention.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 that depict an elevation and exploded view of a handcuff holster 102, respectively, the handcuff holster 102 includes a rigid center material 24, a back sidewall 26 and a front sidewall 25. These are generally shaped as shown. The front sidewall 25 includes attachment extensions 27 and 28 formed by cutting portions of the sidewall 25 away as shown in FIG. 6. These extensions 27 and 28 overlap the rigid center material 20 and back sidewall 21 to be fastened thereto. The front sidewall 25 includes a quick release holder 16 for mating with an end of quick release strap 23. A second end of quick release strap 23 may be sewn or affixed to the back sidewall 26. Thus, the wearer merely pulls on the mated end of the quick release strap to gain access to a pair of handcuffs.

[0039] Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 8, an accessory holster 103 for accommodating the likes of a baton, flashlight, pepper spray or single magazine is depicted. The accessory holster 103 is constructed in like manner as the previously discussed holsters. The holster 103 comprises a back sidewall 31, rigid center material 30 and front sidewall 29 constructed in like manner as the previously mentioned holsters above. The front sidewall 29 includes two rail straps 12 as shown. It further includes a quick release holder 16 for receiving and mating with an end of quick release strap 23. The front sidewall 29 is generally rectangular in shape. The rigid center material 30 and back sidewall 31 are elongated shapes and having rounded ends as shown. However, it is contemplated that various other shapes may be used to construct this holster.

[0040]FIG. 9 shows a shoulder rail system 104 for use with the above referenced holsters. The shoulder rail system 104 includes a pair of elastic webbings 34. Each webbing 34 includes a fixed buckle 33 b affixed to one end thereof. The opposite end of the elastic webbing passes through the other fixed buckle and through an adjustable buckle 33 a as shown. Thus, the shoulder rail system 104 may be adjusted easily to accommodate various sized individual. The webbings 34 are affixed to one another through stitching or other such means as shown. One of the above mentioned holsters attaches to the rails 38 as shown below.

[0041]FIG. 10 is a representation of a torso rail system 105. In this embodiment, the rail system 105 comprises two rails 38 for attaching at least one holster thereto. The rails 38, which comprise webbing, create two loops, one arranged above the other. An end of rail 38 is affixed to a fixed buckle 33 b and a side of zipper 39. An opposite end of the rail 38 each rail is attached to the opposite side of zipper 39. Each rail 38 passes through buckle 33 a to allow for the size of the loop created by rail 38 to be adjusted. This system also includes a redundant buckling system 36 for preventing in the zipper from unzipping during use and also aids in holding the system in place. The redundant buckling system typically comprises a strip of hook or loop material that mates with a complementary piece of hook and loop material as shown.

[0042]FIG. 11 is a representation of a leg or wrist rail system 106. This system comprises two rails 38 that are independent of one another as shown. Ends of the rails 38 are affixed to complementary mating portions of impact buckle 40. An adjustable buckle 33 a is provided for allowing the rails 38 to be used with different sized individuals.

[0043]FIG. 12 is a representation of a lower leg rail system 107. The lower leg rail system 107 is similar to the system 105 shown in FIG. 10. A notable difference is the size of the loops created by the rails 38 and the size of the zipper 39.

[0044]FIG. 13 depicts a laundry bag 108 comprising mesh material 42 that is used in laundering the holstering system. The holsters and associated systems are deposited in to the laundry bag 108 and dropped into a washing machine and laundered similar to ordinary clothing. Once the washing has been completed, the holsters and associated systems are removed and left to air dry.

[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 14 through 17 which show various ways in which the system may be used. In FIG. 14, the wearer is shown wearing the shoulder rail system 109 and the torso rail system 105 on an upper torso region of the body. The holsters 100 and 101 are shown as being worn towards a front area of the torso. Arrows indicate that the holsters may be position according to individual preferences.

[0046] In FIG. 15 a wearer is wearing a firearm holster 100 with a waist rail system 106. In this configuration, the wearer is wearing the holster in a front region. In FIG. 16 a waist rail system is rigged for use on a hip of a user such as used by law enforcement when in a tactical mode. Each of the holsters 100 and 101 are tied at the bottom by rail system 106. In FIG. 17, a leg rail system 107 attaches holsters 102 and 103 to a lower leg region of a wearer as shown.

[0047] As can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the holster system of the present invention can be worn in an infinite amount of ways and accommodate an infinite amount of sizes of firearms and other accessories.

[0048] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact construction illustrated and described above. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A multi-configurable holster system comprising: a holster for accommodating a piece of law enforcement equipment, said holster including a front wall having overlapping edges and attached to a center wall and a back wall, and at least two rail straps; and, a rail system that includes at least two adjustable straps, one strap being positioned above the other one and each strap passing through at least one rail strap for holding said holster in a desired position.
 2. The adjustable holster system of claim 1 further comprising: a quick thumb release having a first and second end and for holding a piece of law enforcement equipment in place.
 3. The adjustable holster system of claim 1 further comprising: a front wall comprising orthopedic elastic; and, a back wall comprising cordura laminated to orthopedic padding.
 4. The adjustable holster system of claim 1 further comprising: nylon binding material attached to the front wall and the rail straps for providing re-enforcement of the rail straps;
 5. The adjustable holster system of claim 1 further comprising: a thumb release comprising hook and loop material for holding a piece of law enforcement equipment in place.
 6. The adjustable holster system of claim 1 further comprising: an edge of the front wall comprising binding.
 7. The adjustable holster system of claim 1 wherein at least said rear wall comprises cordura material.
 8. The adjustable holster system of claim 1 further comprising: buckles affixed to said rails for adjusting said rails to a desired length.
 9. The adjustable holster system of claim 1 further comprising: rails comprising elastic webbing.
 10. The adjustable holster system of claim 1 further comprising: a zipper having two ends, each end affixed to a rail.
 11. The adjustable holster system of claim 10 further comprising: a redundant buckling system attached to said zipper and for preventing said zipper from unzipping during use.
 12. The adjustable holster system of claim 1 further comprising: impact buckles attached at ends of the rails.
 13. A holster for accommodating a piece of law enforcement equipement comprising: a front wall having overlapping edges; a center piece of rigid material attached to said front wall and for holding a shape of the holster; a back wall attached to said front wall and the center piece of rigid material, at least two rail straps affixed to said front wall; and, a rail system that includes at least two adjustable straps, one strap being positioned above the other one and each strap passing through at least one rail strap for holding said holster in a desired position 